Steve Purnell, Bargoed, WalesMember Since February 2012Artist Statement Steve is a self taught photographer living in the Rhymney Valley in South Wales. Whilst he has only taken photography seriously since 2008 he grew up with a photography background as his Father was an avid hobby photographer who shot many a wedding. Steve often used to help in those days taking candid shots through the day.

The purchase of his first digital camera in 2008 really inspired Steve to take up the art once again, especially when he discovered the wonders of photoshop in which he processes all of his images.

Steve has had great success with his photographs in recent years, entering many competitions and has taken several first prizes at the Bedwellty Agricultural Show in the photography section and winning 'Best Photograph in Show' on two occasions.

He has also had images published in some of the photography magazines.

Lately, Steve has tried to bring something new to the table with his art and has developed a style of producing unique images from smoke trails photographed from a smouldering incense stick. Indeed, immediately upon publishing his website featuring these images, he was contacted by actuallymag.com, an online arts and fashion magazine requesting that they be allowed to feature his work and this feature was published in January 2013 http://actuallymag.com/smoke-art-with-steve-purnell/

His work is widely available to purchase over the internet, not only as art prints but also as canvas wraps, stationery cards, iphone cases, ipod skins, ipad skins, laptop skins, t shirts, hoodies, cushions and tote bags.